chamberlain



Feb. 21, 1956 R. E. CHAMBERLAIN ROOF FRAMER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1954 Royal E. Chamberlain INVENTOR.

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ROOF FRAMER Filed Nov. 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Royal 5. Chamberlain INVENTOR.

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ROOF FRAMER Royal E. Chamberlain, Paradise, Qalif. Application November 29, 1954, Serial No. 471,588

6 Claims. (Cl. 33-91) This invention relates to a novel carpenters tool, and more particularly to a roof framer.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel roof framing tool for use in measuring and marking rafters and the like for cutting.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a roof framer having means associated therewith for automatically providing a straight edge at a selected angle for use in marking cuts on lumber to be used in roof construction, so that a roof having a desired pitch may be easily constructed.

The construction of this invention features novel L- shaped elements which are pivotally connected to a bar and to a plate which is rotatably mounted on the bar with the pivotal connection between the L-shaped elements and the plate riding in cam slots which cooperate with suitable indicia on the plate so as to hold one edge of the L-shaped elements at a predetermined angle relative to the bar, thereby enabling accurate cuts to be marked on lumber corresponding to the relative position of the plate and the bar.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a roof frarner that is strong and durable, simple in construction and manufacture, easy to use, and inexpensive to produce, thereby permitting wide distribution and utilization.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this roof framer, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the roof framer comprising the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken along the plane of line 22 of Figure 1, illustrating the manner in which the various elements of the invention are secured together;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention with parts thereof being broken away to show other parts in detail; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 4-4 in Figure 3 and illustrating the construction of the pointers associated with the depth seat cut slit.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates the roof frame comprising the present invention which includes a bar 12 having an elongated opening therethrough in which a plate 16 is positioned. The plate 16 is rotatably mounted relative to the bar 12 by means of a bolt 18 or other suitable fastener which extends through the plate 16 and the opposed sections 20 and 22 of the bar 12.

An arcuate slot 24 is formed in the plate 16 and another bolt 26 provided with a wing nut 28 thereon nited States Patent 0 extends through the slot 24 and through the opposed portions 20 and 22 of the bar 12.

Cam slots 30 and 32 of differing configuration are formed in the plate 16, the shape of which may be determined by mathematical calculations so as to guide the ends 34 and 36 of L-shaped members 38 and 40 by means of the bolts 42 and 44 which extend therethrough in a predetermined arcuate path.

The L-shaped members 38 and 40 are pivotally connected by means of bolts, as at 46 and 48, to the bar 12 within the opening 14. These L-shaped members 38 and 4-0 may be formed of suitable thin sheet material. Spaced blocks 50 and 52 are positioned within the opening 14 and bear against the L-shaped members 38 and 40. The bolts 46 and 48 extend through the spacer blocks 50 and 52.

It is noted that the plate 16 is provided with a pair of adjacent sides 54 and 56 which extend normal to each other. Extending parallel to the side 56 is a slit 58 for use in moving the depth of seat cut indicators to be hereinafter described. Further, a marking slot 60 is formed which runs parallel to the side 56,

Arranged along the circular side 64 of the plate 16 are sets of indicia 66 and 68 which correspond to various pitches for different type roofs. It is to be noted that the pitch may be based upon the rise per linear unit so that the angular inclination of the cuts in rafters and like roofing members can be ascertained.

Other sets of indicia 70 and 72 corresponding to the indicia 66 and 68 are arranged adjacent the edge of the side 54.

It is noted that the indicia 66 and 7t) cooperate with the cam slot 36 and the L-shaped member 38 so that the angular relationship of the L-shaped member relative to the bar 12 is designated by the indicia 66 and 70. Likewise, the indicia 72 and 68 cooperate with the cam slot 32 whereby the angle cuts for hip and valley roofs can be marked using the L-shaped member 40.

In use, and with the bar 12 positioned against a length of lumber, and with the disk 16 adjusted to the pitch or rise in the roof desired whereby a particular line of the indicia 66 or 68 is in alignment with the edge 74 of the bar 12 or a particular line of the indicia 70 and 72 is in alignment with the edge 76 of the bar 12, depending upon whether or not common and jack rafters or hip and valley rafters are being marked, the carpenters can mark the lumber utilizing the edges of the L-shaped members 38 and 40, thus obtaining correct angular relationship for the side cuts of the hips and valleys. Further, the plumb cut can be obtained by marking along the edge of the side 54 while level cuts for the rafters or the like can be obtained by marking along the edge of the side 56. Additionally, the slot 60 can be utilized for the level out if such is desired.

Mounted within the depth of seat cut slit 58 are a pair of pointers 77 and 78 of trapezoidal shape and having inwardly depressed portions 80 and 82. Extending through the depressed portions 80 and 82 of the trapezoidal-shaped pointers 77 and 78 is a bolt fastener 36 which holds the pointers 77 and 78 in an adjusted position. In use, the depth of seat cut pointers 77 and 78 are utilized by first placing the bar 12 in position against the top edge of the rafter material with the disk 16 lying flat against the side of the rafter material and then marking the plumb cut against the side 54. After the plumb cut has been marked, the tool is moved forward along the edge of rafter in the direction of side 54 until the distance from the plumb cut to the bottom edge of rafter, measured along side 56 or slot 60, is equal to the width of the plate stock on which the rafter is to rest. Still holding the roof framer at this point, move the depth of seat cut indicator until the pointers 77 and 78 coincide with the plumb out line and fasten securely. Proceed to the next rafter and repeat as above except that all that is needed to get an exact duplicate of first rafter is to bring the depth of seat cut indicator in line with plumb cut and mark the seat cut.

By following the above procedure, even the inexperienced carpenter can cut perfect duplicates of the first rafter, thus assuring a perfectly straight line across the top of the rafters at the plate line. This procedure cornpensates for any variation in width of rafter stock in that the depth of the remaining part of the rafter, measured along the plumb cut, is exactly the same on each rafter. Any variation in Width of stock will be reflected in the length of the seat cut but this will not show nor affect the finished roof.

It is to be noted that the upper edge of bar 12 as shown in Figure 1 should be in position against the rafter material for marking all plumb and level cuts while the lower side of the bar 12 should be in position against the rafter material when marking all side cuts.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A roof framing tool comprising an elongated bar having an elongated centrally disposed opening therethrough, a plate rotatably mounted within said opening, a pair of substantially L-shaped elements pivotally mounted in said opening of said bar, cam slots in said plate, and fastening means pivotally slidably attaching said L-shaped elements to said plate, said fastening means being engaged in said cam slots.

2. A roof framing tool comprising an elongated bar having an elongated centrally disposed opening therethrough, a plate rotatably mounted within said opening, a pair of substantially L-shaped elements pivotally mounted in said opening of said bar, cam slots in said plate, and fastening means pivotally slidably attaching said L-shaped elements to said plate, said fastening means being engaged in said carn slots, an arcuate slot 4" in said plate, and a fastener extending through said arcuate slot adjustably fastening said plate to said bar.

3. A roof framing tool comprising an elongated bar having an elongated centrally disposed opening there through, a plate rotatably mounted within said opening, a pair of substantially L-shaped elements pivotally mounted in said opening of said bar, cam slots in said plate, and fastening means pivotally slidably attaching said L-shaped elements to said plate, said fastening means being engaged in said cam slots, said plate having two adjacent sides extending perpendicular to each other.

4. A'roof framing tool comprising an elongated bar having an elongated centrally disposed opening therethrough, a plate rotatably mounted within said opening, a pair of substantially L-shaped elements pivotally mounted in said opening of said bar, cam slots in said plate, and fastening means pivotally slidably attaching said L-shaped elements to said plate, said fastening means being engaged in said cam slots, said plate having two adjacent sides extending perpendicular to each other, and at least one slit insaid plate extending parallel to one of said adjacent sides.

5. A roof framing tool comprising an elongated bar having an elongated centrally disposed opening therethrough, a plate rotatably mounted within said opening, a pair of substantially L-shaped elements pivotally mounted in said opening of said bar, cam slotsin said plate, and fastening means pivotally slidably attachingsaid L-shaped elements to said plate, said fastening means being engaged in said cam slots, an arcuate slot'in' said plate, and a fastener extendingthrough s'a'id arcuate slot adjustably fastening said plate to said bar, said plate having two adjacent sides extending perpendicular to each other. I I

6. A roof framing tool comprising an elongated bar having an elongated centrally disposed opening therethrough, a plate rotatably mounted within said opening, a pair of substantially L-shaped elements pivotally mounted in said opening of said bar, cam slots in said plate, and fastening means pivotally slidably attaching said L-shaped elements to said plate, said fastening means being engaged in said cam slots, an'arcuate slot in said plate, and a fastener extending through said arcuate slot adjustably fastening said plate to said bar, said plate having two adjacent sides extending perpendicular to each other, and at least one slit in said plate extending parallel to one of said adjacent sides.

No references cited. 

